The How-To Guide for Family Visits

So, we all love our dear families, and they all love us, which means, from time to time, they pay us a visit! My mom came out last week from New York, just in time for the blizzard, and we still had a blast! Her visit inspired me to talk about what you can do when your relatives come to visit.

I think there are three options: a), get done all the errands you don’t have time to do in a normal week, b), relax and treat yourself, or c), see all the sights and eat all the snacks Saint Louis has to offer! And don’t worry; you can do one, two, or all three of these things in one visit!

A. Clear that to-do list! So if you’re a freshman like me and you don’t have a car, you’re always in need of a trip to Target, Schnucks, Trader Joes, or all three and more!  Or if you’re older and do have a car, maybe that trip to Walgreens is just something that keeps getting pushed back on your to-do list. It’s ok, I know each week you have the good intentions of going to get more Gummy Vites before life gets in the way.  Parents and other family are usually willing to take you to all these places, and if you’re lucky, they’ll pick up the tab too!

B. Take a staycation! But perhaps your life is a little bit stressful—I wonder why? When my mom came out, all I wanted to do was get off campus and take a chill pill.  It’s a great time to relax and get manicures at Ladue Nails or, for a real treat, Wellbridge! Or you can sit in Kayaks or the Coffee Cartel and discuss your future. I just used the “mom’s here!” card, played hooky and had a little (or big) therapy session. I also highly recommend treating yourself and sleeping in the hotel! Nothing’s cuter than a little before-bed chatting and TV watching with mom.

C. Play tourist for a day! Still, while we are in the great metropolis that is Saint Louis, there’s stuff to do! If your family is up for touring the town, you can do all those cultural things you know you should do, but never get around to. Take the boys to Pappy’s, take the up-for-anything aunt to the top of the Arch, and show your younger relatives the magic of the City Museum. This is where we live, so show it off! I love taking visitors to all of my favorite eateries (Wildflower, Crushed Red, Chill, or Drunken Fish)—and no, this doesn’t include BD, as much as I loved the salmon burger I had tonight! 

Image courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk

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